The microbial communities found in soils are inherently heterogeneous and often exhibit spatial variations on a small scale. Becker et al. (2006) investigate this phenomenon and present statistical analyses to support their findings. In this project, alternative statistical methods and models are considered and employed in a re-analysis of the data from Becker. First, parametric nested random effects models are considered as an alternative to the nonparametric semivariogram models and kriging methods employed by Becker to analyze patterns of spatial variation. Second, multiple logistic regression models are employed to investigate factors influencing microbial community structure as an alternative to the simple logistic models used by Becker. Additionally, the microbial community profile data of Becker were unobservable at several points in the spatial grid. The Becker analysis assumes that the data are missing completely at random and as such have relatively little impact on inference. In this re-analysis, this assumption is investigated and it is shown that the pattern of missingness is correlated with both metabolic potential and spatial coordinates and thus provides useful information that was previously ignored by Becker. Multiple imputation methods are employed to incorporate the information present in the missing data pattern and results are compared with those of Becker.

Creator

• Huang, Fang

贡献者

• Wilbur, Jayson D.

Degree

• MS

Unit

• Mathematical Sciences

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Language

• English

Identifier

• etd-011106-155345

关键词

• multiple imputation
• semivariogram models
• nested random effects models
• spatial variations
• multiple logistic regression models
• missing
• kriging methods

Advisor

• Wilbur, Jayson D.

Defense date

• 2005-12-09

Year

• 2006

Date created

• 2006-01-11

Resource type

• Thesis

Rights statement

• In Copyright